Perforating machine



June 22, 1937. 5, ROSENBERG 2,084,869

PERFORATING MACHINE Filed Aug. 13, 1935 5 Sheets-Shet '1 l I 172%?? lg jwzzziqy June 22, 1937. s, ROSENBERG 2,084,869

PERFORATING MACH INE Filed Aug. 13, 1955 SYShee'bS-Sheejb 2 June 22, 1937. 5, ROSENBERG 2,084,869

PERFORATING MACHINE Filed Aug. 13, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ,jrzwizir AfZZfl/ZZZZQV June 22, 1937. E, ROSENBERG 2,084,869

PERFORATING MACHINE Filed Aug. 13, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 JiZW/ZZZZ Zmzzky 7 W 7 June 22, 1937.

S. E. ROSENBERG PERFORATING MACHINE Filed Aug. 13, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 fijfijalzzzifigy z, W wy 7,

Patented June 22, 1937 UNITED STATS FATENT QFFHQE PERFORATING MACHINE Stig E. Rosenberg, Brockton, Mass.

Application August 13, 1935, Serial No. 35,955

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for ornamenting work, such as parts of shoe uppers or other work requiring ornamentation, by cutting holes therein by a die provided with tubular punches arranged to punch holes formed and arranged to ornament the work, and in some cases with a knife adapted to trim a portion of the work and form an ornamental edge there- Machines of this type are arranged with a supporting frame having a die-supporting bed, a platen movable in guides on the frame toward and from a die supported by the bed, a main driving shaft journalled in bearings on the 15 frame, a paper backing strip guided in a path carrying a stretch of the strip over the die and under the platen, and a feed roll for feeding the backing strip progressively to present a fresh surface portion of the strip to the die after each punching operation wherein the die is adjusted to perforate the work and enter the strip and cut through only a portion of the thickness of the strip.

The operation of the machine is performed in cycles, each cycle including a depression and an elevation of the platen and a feed movement of the backing strip, an automatic stop motion being provided which automatically stops the operation after each cycle thereof, so that the machine remains at rest until the operator by temporarily depressing a treadle renders the stop motion inoperative so that another cycle of the operation is permitted.

As above stated, machines of this type are so adjusted that the movement of the platen toward the die causes the die to penetrate the work and to penetrate only slightly into the backing strip. If the punches are broken or damaged in any way, the marks formed on the surface of the backing strip indicate whether or not the punches are in proper condition. If the machine is not properly adjusted, the dies may cut unevenly or through the backing strip and strike the under surface of the platen which would quickly dull the punches and, as a result, the punches would not form clean perforations in the work. Such a condition would at once be apparent by inspecting the backing strip and the movement of the platen could be adjusted to avoid this condition. However, in prior machines, the backing strip is fed rearwardly between the platen and the die and, consequently, it is not possible for the operative to observe the result of the punching operation on the 55 backing strip without leaving her position at the front of the machine and going to the back thereof. Consequently, broken or damaged dies or punches, or improper adjustment of the machine would be unnoticed by the operative until after a considerable number of work pieces had been passed through the machine and, as a result, a number of the workpieces would not be perforated properly.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved machine by the use of which the above-mentioned difficulties will be overcome. To this end, one feature of the invention resides in. a perforating machine having, in combination with other elements, die-supporting means, a die resting on said support, a movable platen above the die, a backing strip supported on said machine, means for guiding a backing strip through the machine in a predetermined path including a substantially horizontal stretch between the die and platen and an upright stretch in the front of the machine extending upwardly from the level of the horizontal stretch, and means for feeding the strip so that it progresses in the horizontal stretch toward the front of the machine and then upwardly in the upright stretch.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for guiding the backing strip through the machine. In accordance with this object, the machine is provided With means for facilitating the threading of a backing strip from a supply roll down behind the machine and from rear to front between the die and the platen, said means including a downwardly and forwardly curved guide at the rear of the machine and a pair of flared ears located and arranged to guide the leading end of the strip into engagement with the curved guide.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved presser mechanism which may be moved out of operative position to permit the threading of the leading end of the backing strip through the machine. To this end, another feature of the invention resides in a perforating machine having, in combination, a backing strip, means for guiding the strip, said means including cylindrical guide rolls to determine changes of direction of the path of the backing strip, a presser member arranged to press a portion of the strip against one of the guide rods, and means actuatable to displace the presser from its operative position to permit the threading of the leading end of the strip between the presser and the adjacent guide rod.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved construction for supporting the supply roll and rewound portion of the backing strip. To this end, another feature of the invention resides in a perforating machine having a die bed, a platen, means for feeding a backing I strip through the machine between the die and the platen, said feeding means including a pair of feed rolls mounted on shafts, a support for a supply of backing strip, a rewind device for the strip, a frame carrying the support and rewind device and loosely mounted on the shaft of one of the feed rolls, and means for holding the frame against rotation. As illustrated, the supporting frame includes a pair of positioning members, each of which is adjustable axially to prevent axial movement of the rolls of backing strip on the shafts on which the rolls are mounted, the positioning members each including a downwardly projecting arm to guide the portion of the strip approaching the feeding means and the portion approaching the rewind shaft.

These and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, and will be pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 is a side view of the machine.

Figure 2 is a front view.

- Figure 2a. is a section on line 2a-2a of Figure 2.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a rear view, portions being broken away.

Figure 4a shows in perspective one of the scoop-shaped deflectors hereinafter described.

Figure 5 is a section on line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section on line B6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a section on line 7-1 of Figure 4.

Figure 7a is similar to a portion of Figure '7, and shows a different position of certain parts.

Figure 8 is an enlargement of the strip-tensioning means shown by Figure 3 showing said means in its unoperating condition.

Figure 9 shows in perspective members of the backing strip tensioning means shown by Figures 3 and 8.

Figure 10 shows in perspective the supplemental frame or stand which supports the shaft on which the backing strip is wound, and the supply shaft or rod to which the wound strip is transferred, and from which said strip is unwound.

Figure 10a is a section on line llla,i0a of Figure 10.

Figure 11 is a section on line HH of Fig I ure 10.

' The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the figures.

The frame of the machine includes a base i2, spaced apart sides. i3 (Fig. 2), and a top 14 (Figs. 2 and 3), connecting the sides. The base i2 supports a bed Hi9 which supports the usual die which includes the punch plate I5 and tubular punches H55 and may include a work-trimming knife 259 (Fig. 3), and the usual spring-supported stripper plate It. The main shaft ll of the machine is driven by a belt i8 running on a pulley i9 separably engaged with the shaft and disconnectable therefrom by the usual automatic clutch mechanism so that the pulley, which may run continuously, becomes loose after the completion of each cycle of operation. The shaft is journailed in bearings 20 on the frame. 2! designates the platen which presses the work against the punches and is movable vertically on guides 22 on the frame, and has an aluminum face plate 23 which forms an abutment for a paper-backing strip 3'! when the platen descends.

The aluminum face plate 23 is used instead of the usual non-metallic or fiber face plate when the die includes a knife 250, because it is free from liability to become warped, and retains the desired fiat form.

Motion is communicated from the main shaft I! to the platen 2! by the mechanism shown by Figure 3, adapted to vary the limit of the downward movement of the platen 2i. Said mechanism includes an eccentric fixed to the shaft by a key 25, and a strap 26 embracing the eccentric. A red or arm 2'! is fixed to the strap; 28 and 29 are pivotally connected toggle links, the link 28 being connected by a pin 39 with the platen,

and the link 29 by a pin 3! with an adjustable internally threaded block 32 which is movable on a fixed inclined guide 320, and is engaged with an adjusting screw 33 mounted to turn in fixed bear.- ings 34 on the supporting frame. The inclination of the guide 320 is such that a forward movement of the block 32 thereon caused by rotation of the screw 33, slightly raises the pin 3| and, through the toggle links, slightly raises the platen. A backward movement of the block 32 causes a slight depression of the platen. The rod 33 has a handle 35 whereby it may be rotated. A spring 33! (Fig. 3), maintains a shoulder 31H on the screw 33 in contact with one of the bearings 34.

A paper backing strip 37 is provided as in other machines of this character, said strip being fed between the platen and the punches and partially penetrated by the punches as usual, at each descent of the platen.

The backing strip 37 may be of indeterminate length, and its path through the machine is best shown by Figure 3. One end of the strip has an inturned portion 38 which is releasably inserted in a slot 39 in a rewind shaft it which is driven by a belt 4! running on a pulley 42 on the shaft 1 l, and on a pulley 43 on the shaft 40. The strip 3'! is drawn from a supply roll loosely mounted on a shaft 45. When the paper from this roll has been rolled up on the rewind shaft 453, the rewound roll is transferred from the rewind shaft 40 to the supply shaft 45, and the free end of the paper is thereupon threaded through the machine and attached to the rewind shaft 4!). The strip is guided by guide bars i5 and 4'5 at the rear of the machine, and bars Hand 49 at the front of the machine. Each of said guides is cylindrical, and may be either rotatable or stationary, the guide ll being preferably stationary. From the guide 49 the strip passes through the nip of a feeding couple composed of a pair of rolls including a knurled or fluted driven feed roll 56 fixed to a shaft 5i, and an idle roll 52 pressed downward by springs 53 (Figure 4) to cause the feeding of the backing strip.

I provide means next described for raising the idle roll 52 to release the backing strip as indicated by dotted lines in Figure '7. The end portions of the idle roll 52 are journalled in bearings 55 (Figs. 1, 4 and 7) attached to slides 55 which are vertically movable on the supporting frame, their movement being limited by headed screws or studs 5'! fixed to the frame, and slots 58 in the slides throughwhich said studs pass. 59 (Fig. 4), is a lifting rock shaft having oblong portions, or cams 60 (Fig. 7), interposed between the lower ends of the slides 5% and fixed abutments 6! (Fig. '7) on the supporting frame. When the rock shaft is turned to locate the cams 65) in the position shown in Fig. 7, the idle roll 52 is pressed against the backing strip on the roll 50 by the springs 53. When the rock shaft is turned to locate the cams in the position shown by Fig. 7a, said cams raise the slides against the pressure of the spring 53', so that the roll 52 is separated from the roll 50 and releases the backing strip. The rock shaft 60 is provided with a crank 62,

(Fig. 4), whereby it may be turned.

The springs 53 which press the idle roll 52 downward are interposed between the bearings 55 and cars 63 (Fig. '7) on the supporting frame.

The direction of the movement imparted to the backing strip by the feed roll 50 is indicated by arrows inFig. 3.

It will be seen that a stretch l of the backing strip extends downward from the wound strip on the shaft 45, and substantially vertically between the guides 46 and 41. Another stretch 2 extends substantially horizontally between the guides 4'! and 48, and between the die and platen, and another stretch 3 extends substantially vertically upward between the guides 48 and 49. The stretch 2 moves from the rear to' the front of the machine. The stretch 3 is always exposed to the View of the operator, the side of said stretch presented to the operator being the one which has been partly penetrated by the punches and by the trimming knife 250, when the latter is used. Figure 2 shows impressions made in the backing strip by said punches and knife. Each such impression or cut in the backing strip moves into view of the operator soon after it has been made. Thus, improper adjustment of the toggle mechanism for operating the platen, manifested by excessive or insufiicient scoring of the backing strip, is quickly detected by the operator and can be promptly corrected before any appreciable amount of work is spoiled, or the machine is damaged.

A stretch 4 of the backing strip extends horizontally between the guide 49 and the nip of the rolls 5!] and 52, and a stretch 5 extends from the idle roll 52 to the rewind shaft 40. It will be seen that the feed rolls 50 and 52 are located at the rear upper portion of the main frame of the machine so that they exert a tensioning pull on the strip stretches 2, 3 and 4.

The rewind shaft 46 and the wound stripsup porting rod or shaft 45 are each supported at one end by the supplemental frame or stand, shown separately by Figure 10, in the space directly above the main portion of the machine, so that the operator is enabled to transfer a wound strip from the rewind shaft 40 to thesupplying shaft 45 without leaving his station at the front of the machine.

Said frame extension or stand includes an outer section 69 having means whereby it may be secured to the machine. In this instance said means includes a standard or shank 65, (Fig. 10) having a hub 66 at its lower end portion receiving and supported by a projecting end of the feed roll shaft 5|, and an extension 61, below said hub, having an orifice receiving a stud 68 (Fig. 4), fixed to the supporting frame and preventing the hub 66 from turning with the shaft 5|. The section 69 has an outer bearing 10 in which the rewind shaft 40 is journalled, and an arm H to which the guide 46 is fixed.

The positions of the rolls of paper on the shafts 40 and 45 are determined by a pair of guide members l3 and 18 which are slidably supported by the shafts 40 and 45. The member 15 has at its ends a pair of bosses l4 and '18 having parallel bosses loosely receiving the shafts 45 and 40, re-

spectively. In like manner the member 78 is provided with bosses 79 and 80 to receive the shafts 45 and. 40. In order to retain the members T3 and 18 in selected positions on the shafts, the bosses 14 and 19 are provided with detents, such as balls 8| pressed by springs 8H] and adapted to engage in any of a number of depressions 812 in the shaft 45. A pair of arms Ti and 82 extend downward from the members 13 and i8 respectively and may serve as guides for the stretches 4 and 5 of the backing strip.

After the major portion of the backing strip has been wound by the usual operation of the machine on the rewind shaft 40, the inner section 18 is moved to the left as shown in Figure 10, the rolled strip is removed from said shaft and may be placed on the supplying shaft 45 preparatory to another course through the machine.

To tension the backing strip I provide a tensioning presser 85 arranged to press a portion of the strip against one of the guides or guiding rods, preferably the guide 41, as shown by Figure 3. Said presser is hinged to a base 86 attached to a fixed horizontal strip 87 extending crosswise of the machine as shown by Figures 4 and 8. To the presser 85 is fixed a downwardly projecting stud 88 (best shown by Fig. 8), movable vertically in the strip 87 and provided with a head 89. Between the fixed strip 8'! and the stud head 89 is interposed a slide 9! (Fig. 9), to the under side of which is attached a cam-shaped or stepped fork 9! formed to bear on the stud head. The slide 99' has slots iEH through which pass confining screws 92. The slide 98 is movable endwise by an arm 93 pivoted at B4 to the rod 41. A movement of the slide 56 in the direction of the arrow :1: in Fig. 4 causes the fork 9! to depress the stud head 85 and the stud, so that the latter depresses the presser 85, as shown by Figure 8, to permit the threading of the backing strip between the guide 4? and the presser. A spiral spring 95 surrounding the stud 88 exerts upward pressure on the presser 85.

The steps on the fork iii are designated by 6, l, 8 and 9 in Figure 9. Said steps define portions of the fork of different thickness, which determine the degree of displacement of the presser 85. The steps at the thinner portions of the fork permit the presser to bear more lightly on the backing strip, while the steps at the thicker portion cause a separation of the presser from the backing strip.

To facilitate the threading of the backing strip between the tensioning presser 85 and the guide 47, I provide means for guiding the leading end of the strip, composed of two curved or scoopshaped deflectors 96 (Figs. 3, 4, and 4a), and flat end portions or strip guides 91 at the opposite ends of the deflectors. The curved portions 96 are arranged to deflect a backing strip end into the space between the presser 85 and the rod 41 when the presser is depressed.

The flat end portions or guides 91 are arranged to accurately guide the edges of the backing strip, and are provided with flared ears 98 which assist in guiding the leading end of the strip into its predetermined path.

As shown in Figure 4, the guides 97 and 98 are adjustable simultaneously in opposite directions by an adjusting screw 99 journaled in fixed bearings at opposite sides of the path of the backing strip, and provided with right and left screw threads I00 engaging internally threaded apertures through said guides.

Perforating machines are often mounted in rows on long benches so that the operator cannot get around to the rear of the machine without considerable difiiculty. One purpose of the guide elements 98 and 96 is to facilitate threading the end of a strip through the machine when the operator is reaching past the machine from his station in front thereof. As the initial portion of a strip is pulled downward from the supply roll, the leading end is centered by the flared ears 98 so that it engages the curved guide elements 96 which direct it through the clearance between the guide rod 4'? and the presser 85. The leading end must then progress forward between the bed I49 and the platen 2i. Since the strip is usually somewhat stiff and, coming from the roll, has a tendency to curl upward after passing the guide bar 41, a deflector I0! is mounted on the rear of the platen and inclines upwardly as indicated in Figure 3 to guide the end of the strip properly to the front of the machine where it can be grasped by the operator.

The machine is provided with any suitable automatic clutch mechanism which automatically disconnects the driving pulley H from driving engagement with the main shaft I! just before the end of each cycle of operation caused by a complete rotationof the shaft, and prevents further operation until the operator moves a foot treadle to permit another rotation of the shaft. Such clutch mechanism is well known, an example being indicated in Figures 2 and 3. As shown, the device may include a dog I'Ifl slidably extending through the pulley 22 to enter a notch "I in the pulley I9 whereby the pulley I9 will drive the pulley 42 and hence the shaft H. dog H0 is actuated by a rocker H2 which is mounted on an end face of the pulley 42 and is pressed by a spring M3 to move the dog I'lfi into locking position in the notch ill. A latch element, which may conveniently be an arm of a bell crank, I'M, is interposed in the path of a portion of the rocker I'l2 so as to rock the rocker against the pressure of the spring 5% to retract the dog I'IIJ from the notch I'll and thus to disconnect the pulley 542 from the driving pulley I9. A rod I75 connects the bell crank ,I'M with a treadle (not shown). Depression of the treadle rocks the bell crank and moves the latch clear of the rocker I72, permitting the spring I'I3 to act. Immediate release of the treadle permits the latch to move back into the path of the rocker I72 under the influence of a suitable spring I16, so that, when the rocker I12 engages and is rocked by the latch at the completion of a single revolution of the pulley 42, the dog I10 is retracted, disconnecting the pulley 42 from the driving pulley I9.

To stop the rotation of the shaft I! immediately after it has been automatically disconnected from the pulley wheel I9 so that the platen comes to rest in its position of maximum elevation after a downward worln'ng stroke and a retracting upward stroke, I provide automatically operating braking mechanism.

To the main shaft It is attached a gear I 92 (Figs. 4 and 5), meshing with a gear I63, which is fixed to a short shaft Hi4, journaled in a fixed bearing "35. To the gear 593 is fixed an eccentrically arranged disk me (Fig. 5), embraced by an eccentric strap or ring fill having a connecting rod member H38. Another connecting rod member are is connected with the member I08 by a coupling member composed of two screw threaded portions III), one having a right and the other a left screw thread, said threads en The gaging correspondingly tapped orifices in the rod members H38, I09. The coupling member is rotatable by an enlargement I II thereof, to vary the length of the connecting rod. The rod member N19 is pivoted at I I2 to a brake band section M3 to which another band section I14 is pivoted at H5. The section i M is mounted to swing on a fixed stud H6; H1 is a compressible brake lining interposed between the band members and the shaft Il. J

The arrangement is such that the brake iscontracted on the shaft il and arrests the rotation thereof just as the pulley is released from driving engagement with the shaft and the platen reaches the extreme of its upward movement so that the momentum of the shaft is checked in time to prevent overrunning. The brake is ex-Y pand'ed and releases the shaft I! just before the commencement of the next cycle. The brake operates intermittently, and is closed on the shaft I? only at a predetermined point in the'cycle of operation, and releases the shaft at all other times. Heretofore a brake continuously exerting a drag on the shaft I? has been employed. It will be seen that the intermittent operation of the brake causes a reduction of the power required to operate the machine, and reduces the wear of the brake to a minimum.

I provide the means next described for varying the feed movement of the feed roll and the backing strip to permit such variable spacing of. the

impressions made in the backing strip by the punches as may be desirable.

To one end of the feed. roll shaft 5I is at tached a ratchet wheel H8, and on the same end is loosely mounted the hub portion of an'oscillatory arm M9, to which is pivoted at I29 (Fig. l) a ratchet-engaging pawl' lZI. The arm II9 has an car 822 (Figs. 1 and 6), to which the pawl is pivoted. A spring I23 (Fig. 6), presses the pawl against the ratchet.

Engaged with the arm M9 by a stud I24 (Fig. 6), is a connecting rod I25 having an extension I26 at its outer end.

A curved rocker arm I29, (Fig. 1) having the cross sectional form, shown byv Fig. 6, is pivoted at I 39 to the supporting frame and is provided in one side with a curved channel I 3I, shown by Figures 1 and 6. The outer end portion of the rocker arm E29 has a curved slot I32 (Fig. 1), receiving a stud E33 eccentrically attached to one end of the main shaft I7, so that the rotation of the shaft oscillates the rocker arm and causes with a stud I39 entering the oscillating rocker arm channel I3! to cause movement of the connecting rod by the oscillating rocker arm, the stud being provided with a roll M9 which con tacts with opposite sides of the rocker. arm chan-v nel. a

It will now be seen that the oscillating movements of the rocker arm I29 are imparted by the connecting rod 25 to the pawl-carrying arm H55, and that reciprocating movements of different lengths may be imparted. to the pawl. by engaging the latch pin E38 withdifferent sockets 20 indicated by Figure 2a..

I31, movements of minimum length being imparted when the latch pin is engaged with the socket I31 nearest the pivot I39, and movements of. maximum length when the stud is engaged with the socket at the opposite end of the row.

As shown by Figure 3, there is a gap below the backing strip guide rod 48 at the front of the machine of such width that it is possible for a careless operator to insert fingers in the space between the platen 2i and the die and suffer injury when the platen descends. To prevent th s possibility I provide a guard partially closing said gap and composed of a rod Hi2 (Figs. 2 and 3), movable endwise in fixed ears 5 33, Mid. On the rod is a spring Hi5 the inner end of which bears on a collar Hi6 fixed to the rod. The spring normally holds the rod in the guarding position shown by full lines in Figure 2. The rod has a head Nil whereby it may be pulled outward as The ear E63 is provided with a tubular extension E59 having a bore [5! formed to receive the major portion of the spring I45 when the rod i i2-i's displaced, as shown by Figure 2a. The outer end of the spring is confined by a stop shoulder I53, the spring being compressed in the extension I50 when the rod is displaced.

The displacement of the rod M2 also enables the operator to insert his hand in the gap above described for the purpose of adjusting the face plate 23, and performing other operations in the space between the platen and the die. When the rod is released after being pulled out, its inner end enters a socket M8 in the ear Md.

As implied in the foregoing description and the appended claims, I am not limited to the specific embodiment of the invention show by the drawings except as otherwise required by certain of the more limited claims.

I claim:

1. A perforating machine comprising a punching die, a reciprocating platen, a backing strip, means for guiding said strip to impart thereto a substantially horizontal lower stretch extending from the back to the front of the machine, and a substantially vertical stretch extending upward from the horizontal stretch and facing the operators station, a strip feeding couple including a driven feed roll and an idle roll, said rolls being located at the rear upper portion of the machine frame so that they move an upper stretch of the backing strip rearwardly from the vertical stretch and tension the latter, the idle roll being spring pressed and vertically displaceable to permit the insertion of the leading end of the strip between the rolls.

2. In a perforating machine having a die-supporting means, a die resting on said support, and a movable platen above said die; a backing strip supported on said machine, means for guiding said strip through said machine in a predetermined path including a substantially horizontal stretch between said die and platen and an up right stretch in front of the machine extending upward from the level of the horizontal stretch, and means for feeding said strip so that it progresses in the horizontal stretch toward the front of the machine and then upward in the upright stretch.

3. In a perforating machine having a die-supporting means, a die resting on said support, and a movable platen above said die; means for supporting a supply roll of backing strip above said machine, a rewind shaft above said machine,

v feed means for said strip in the upper portion of said machine, and guide means for causing said strip to travel in a path extending downward from said roll at the rear of the machine, then horizontally between said die and platen to the front of the machine, then upward in front of the machine, then to said feed means, and then to said rewind shaft.

4. In a perforating machine having a die-supporting means, a die resting on said support, and a movable platen above said die; means for supporting a supply roll of backing strip above the rear portion of the machine, a rewind shaft mounted above the forward portion of the machine, strip-feeding means mounted in the upper rear portion of the machine, and guide means for i causing said strip to travel in a path extending downward behind the machine from said roll, then to the front of the machine in a horizontal stretch between the die and platen, then upward in front of the machine to the top thereof, then rearward to said feeding means, and then to said rewind shaft.

5. In a perforating machine having a die-supporting means, a die resting on said support, and a movable platen above said die; means for feeding a backing strip through said machine from rear to front in a horizontal stretch, then upward in front of said machine in an upright stretch, and means for maintaining an adjustable tension on said stretches of the strip.

6. In a perforating machine having a bed for a die and a movable platen above said bed, means for supporting a supply roll of backing strip above said machine, and means for facilitating the threading of said strip down behind said machine from said roll and from rear to front between said bed and platen, said last-named means including a downwardly and forwardly curved guide at the rear of the machine, and a pair of flared ears located and arranged to guide the leading end of the strip into engagement with said curved guide.

7. In a perforating machine having a bed for a die and a movable platen above said bed, means for supporting a supply roll of backing strip above said machine, and means for facilitating the threading of said strip down behind said machine from said roll and from rear to front between said bed and platen, said last-named means including a downwardly and forwardly curved guide at the rear of the machine, means for guiding the leading end of the strip into engagement with said curved guide, and a deflector mounted on and projecting rearwardly from said platen to guide said leading end between said bed and platen.

8. In a perforating machine having a backing strip, means for guiding said strip including cy lindrical guide rods to determine changes of direction of the path of said strip, tensioning means for said strip comprising a presser arranged to press a portion of said strip against one of said guide rods, and means actuable to displace said presser from its operative position to permit the threading of the leading end of the strip between said presser and the adjacent guide rod.

9. In a perforating machine having a backing strip, means for guiding said strip including cylindrical guide rods to determine changes of direction of the path of said strip, tensioning means for said strip comprising a presser arranged to press a portion of said strip against one of said guide rods, and means for movably supporting said presser to permit its displacement and the threading of the leading end of the strip between the presser and the adjacent guide rod, said supporting means including a fixed support, an arm fixed on said support to which armsaid presser is hinged, a spring normally pressing said presser against said guide rod, a headed stud passing through said support and fixed to said presser, and a wedge cam movable between saidsupport and the head of said stud to draw the presser away from said guide rod.

10. In a perforating machine having a bed for a die and a movable platen above said bed; means for guiding a backing strip through the machine so that one stretch thereof extends between said bed and platen and another stretch thereof is upright in front of the machine, means for feeding said strip so that the portion of the first said stretch moves toward the front of the machine and the portion in said upright stretch moves upward, said feed means including a pair of feed rolls and means for driving the same, means for maintaining tension on said stretches comprising a frictional device engaging the strip at the rear of the machine, and means at one side of the machine manually operable to render said feeding and tension means inactive.

11. In a perforating machine having a die bed and platen, means for feeding a backing strip through said machine between the die and platen, said feeding means including a pair of feed rolls mounted on shafts, a support for a supply of backing strip, a rewind device for said strip, a frame carrying said support and rewind device and loosely mounted on the shaft of one of said feed rolls, and means holding said frame against rotation.

12. In a perforating machine, means for supporting a backing strip, said means comprising a frame member mounted at one side of the machine and extending up above the top of the machine, a pair of shafts supported by said frame and projecting therefrom over the machine for the support respectively of a'supply roll of backing strip and the rewound portion'of the strip, and a pair of positioning members each of which is mounted on both said shafts and adjustable axially thereon to prevent axial movement of said rolls of backing strip on the respective shafts.

13. In a perforating machine, means for supporting a backing strip, said means comprising a frame member mounted at one side of the machine and extending up above the top of the ma chine, a pair of shafts supported by said frame and projecting therefrom over the machine for the support respectively of a supply roll of backing strip and the rewound portion of the strip, and a pair of positioning members each of which is mounted on both said shafts and adjustable axially thereon to prevent axial movement of said rolls of backing strip on the respective shafts, said positioning members each having a guide arm projecting downwardly to guide a stretch of said strip approaching'the rewind roll. 14. In a perforating machine, means for sup porting a backing strip, said means comprising a frame member mounted at one side of the machine and extendingup above the top of the ma chine, a pair of shafts supported by said frame and projecting therefrom over the machine for,

the support respectively of a supply roll of backing strip and the rewound portion of the strip, feeding means for said strip including a pair of driven feed rolls between which the strip passes before reaching the rewind shaft, and a pair of positioning members each of which is mounted on both saidshafts and adjustable axially thereon to prevent axial movements of said rolls of strip on said shafts, said'positioning members each having a downwardly projecting arm to guide the portion of the strip approaching the feed means and the portion approaching the rewind shaft. STIG E. ROSENBERG. 

